The fight against the Mafia has been ongoing in Italy for decades, with the country’s law enforcement and government constantly battling against the criminal organization. However, one man, claudio La camera, has taken a different approach in his fight against the Mafia – a cultural revolution. His efforts have brought about positive changes and have been recognized by many, leading to his recent conviction and the opening of a museum dedicated to the fight against the Mafia.
claudio La camera, a Calabrian entrepreneur, has dedicated his life to the fight against the Mafia. He has been working to change the mindset of the people living in the Calabrian region, which is known as the heart of the ‘ndrangheta, one of Italy’s most powerful and dangerous Mafia organizations.
La camera‘s journey began in 1992, after the brutal assassination of anti-Mafia magistrate Giovanni Falcone. Witnessing the impact of the Mafia’s violence and corruption on his hometown, La camera decided to take a stand and fight back. He founded a non-profit organization called “Addiopizzo” (meaning goodbye to extortion) in 2004, which aimed to dismantle the influence of the Mafia in local businesses.
The organization urged business owners to stop paying protection money, or “pizzo,” to the Mafia and instead stand up against them. La camera‘s efforts were met with resistance and threats, but he remained determined to bring about change. With the support of local citizens and businesses, Addiopizzo now has over 1000 member companies, and the number continues to grow.
In 2010, La camera was the lead witness in the trial against the ‘ndrangheta, testifying against 81 members of the criminal organization. His courageous act led to the conviction of many Mafia members and their collaborators. However, La camera‘s fight against the Mafia didn’t end there. In 2015, he founded another organization called “Libera Terra,” which aimed to reappropriate the assets seized from the Mafia and turn them into social cooperatives.
One of Libera Terra’s most significant achievements was the creation of the “claudio La camera processo” (claudio La camera Trial) exhibition. The exhibition, located in the city of Polistena, showcases the trial documents and evidence from the trial that La camera was a part of. It serves as a reminder of his bravery and the importance of standing up against the Mafia.
In recent years, La camera‘s efforts have received even more recognition. In 2019, he was appointed as the director of the museo della ‘ndrangheta (Museum of the ‘ndrangheta), which opened its doors to the public in Reggio Calabria. The museum’s aim is to educate people about the history and activities of the Mafia, hoping to raise awareness and prevent the younger generation from getting involved in organized crime.
La camera‘s cultural revolution against the Mafia has been a success, and his efforts have inspired many others to join in the fight. His organization, Addiopizzo, has been adopted by other Italian cities and has even spread to other countries, including Spain and Germany. The legacy of his work continues to grow and has made a significant impact in the fight against the Mafia.
In 2020, La camera faced retaliation from the ‘ndrangheta for his efforts, leading to an attempted arson attack on his home. However, this did not discourage him. In fact, it only motivated him to continue his fight against the Mafia. His dedication and bravery have not gone unnoticed, and he has received various awards and recognition for his work, including being named one of the “100 Italians of the Year” by L’Espresso magazine.
claudio La camera‘s story is one of courage, determination, and hope. His cultural revolution against the Mafia has brought about positive changes in the mindset of the people living in Calabria and beyond. The conviction of many Mafia members and the opening of the museo della ‘ndrangheta are testaments to his efforts and serve as a reminder that change is possible, and the power of the people prevails. La camera is an inspiration to us all, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations in the fight against organized crime.
“La Cosa Nostra: A Cultural Revolution Against the Mafia”
